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"^ Little Hunchback 

of 

Clothespin Allep 



BY 

CATHERINE TONGUE 



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K?^^'^' 



Copyright 1921 

by 

CATHERINE TONGUE 

All rights reserved 



HEADLIGHT PUBLISHERS 
Stromsburg, Nebraska 



(O)0!.A322O15 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 

Sister has lovers, one, two, three; 

They let the little Hunchback be. 

I don't sit around and sigh — not I, 

If all the boys do pass me by; 

In an air-ship, gay, I sail av/ay 

To my castle in the air. 

The birds and beasts, all gather round me 

They are glad that I am there. 

Friends, and lovers I have a plenty 

And servants, there are twenty! 

There, all admire me, the great and small 

Because I am so straight and tall! 

Refrain 
O, I am a builder, a builder rare, 
I am forever, building castles. 
Castles — in the air! 

don't you wish that yoU' were there, 
In my beautiful, wonderful castle, 

My castle in the air? 
In my castle I am a queen, 

And there, I reign surprerae 
In my beautiful, wonderful castle, 

My castle in the air! 

In my garden are lillies fair, 

And I gather the roses there. 

And all in the quiet evenings' dawn 

The fairies dance upon my lawn 

To the brownies' music low and sweet 

Suited just to faries' feet. 

And when the lights are all on above. 

Then, I have my dreams of love! 

Sure, a handsome boatswain comes to take 

Me a sailing on the lake. 

Now, me-thinks you know the reason why 

1 have no time to sit and sigh! 

— Catherine Tongue, 



Musical setting to the above lines by Laura 
Sedwick Collins, New York City. 



"O fear not in a world like this, 
And thou shall know ere long, 
Know how sublime a thing it is 
To suffer and be strong." 

— Henry W. Longfellow 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACIi OP CLOTHESPIN 
ALLEY 



It was in the beautiful home on Hadley Hill. A 
fire was burning in the grate for it was the rainy 
season in California. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hadley 
were entertaining an old friend who had just re- 
turned from over seas. Doctor Carter grave and 
thotful, a little grayed at the temples and his 
friend and companion, much younger in years, 
whom the doctor had requested to bring with him. 

John Hadley, a boy of some twelve years, was 
standing by his father's chair, his arm thrown 
lightly around the older man's shoulders, his eyes 
fixed on the face of Doctor Carter. Sister, a girl, 
some years older, was seated on the hearth rug 
looking down into the fire, occasionally her eyes 
would steal a glance at the quiet stranger seated 
a little in the back-ground, then drop again to study 
the pictures in the flames. 

Mrs. Hadley v/as speaking. 

"No, Doctor Carter, father and mother Hadley 
did not long survive the misfortune that befell 
them, tho I believe they regained possession, 
thanks to a beneficient friend, of this old home on 
the hill. Sister married and is living in the east." 

Mrs. Hadley looked thotful. Again raising her 
eyes to the doctor's face she continued, 

"You, Doctor Carter, you never married. Were 
you never in love?" 

The doctor's face seemed to grow graver and 
for a moment he looked thotfully into the flames. 
A sigh escaped him. Turning to Mrs. Hadley, he 
replied, 

"Yes. I was in love — in love with a child." 

"A child! O, Doctor, do tell us about it! Where 
did you meet her and was she beautiful?" 

"At the orphanage in this city. Beautiful? Yes, 
in mind and spirit, loving, thotful of others and 
generous to a remarkable degree. Always cheer- 
ful in the face of adversity — she brot happiness to 
others. Cheerful, tho weighed down with afflic- 
tion. She was — a little hunchbcck. They called 
her 'The Little Hunchback of Clothespin Alley'." 

Mrs. Hadley threw up her hands in horror. 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



"You — you in love with a hunchback!" 

Thomas Hadley partly rose from his chair, his 
face expressing great emotion. He signaled his 
wife to be silent. Sinking brxk in his chair, he 
drew his hand over his forehead. Only Sister 
noticed the face of the stranger in the back ground. 
His handsome face had grown white. Clasping 
his hands tightly together, he leaned a little for- 
ward, and he too looked into the flames. 

Sister arose and going to Doctor Carter laid her 
hand on his arm. 

"Please tell us about her." 

Little John joined his sister in begging the doctor 
for the story. 

For a fleeting moment the doctor's eyes rest6d on 
the face of the stranger, then turning them to the 
fire he began: — 

"I was young then in years and in practice. My 
work was principally among the poor, tho I had 
some friends among the wealthy. Your grand- 
father," turning to Sister, "was among the latter. 
I was frequently called to the orphanage. Little 
Hunchback and her brother Ben were inmates of 
that institution. About their parents, I knew noth- 
ing. Ben was a few years older than his sister. 
He idolized her and it was not to be wondered at. 
To see her was to love her. A face so sensitive 
and alive with inspiration, a cheerful, loving, 
happy face. At first I wondered at the great happi- 
ness that shone forth from the depth of her beauti- 
ful eyes. I lived to learn that her happiness came 
from with in. She was blessed with a wonderful 
imagination. The flames of her vivid imagination 
were fed with stories from the Arabian Nights'. I 
was told that she kept a copy of the book under her 
pillow." 

"Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Stewart of Millionaire 
Row, childless, were about to sail for England. 
They decided at the last moment to adopt a child. 
They came to the orphanage. The children were 
called in for inspection. After looking them over, 
much as a horse trader would look over a bunch 
of horses, they observed Ben. In a moment the 
other children were forgotten. He was a bright 
and handsome lad. As if in anticipation of some- 
thing the brother and sister had drawn close to- 
gether and they stood a little apart from the other 
children. At this period, your grandparents," again 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



looking at Sister, "came into the orphanage. They 
stood quietly in the back ground. The Stewarts 
approached Ben. Mrs. Stewart beaming upon him, 
Inquired," 

" 'Would you like to be our little boy and travel 
across the waters with us?' " 

Ben answered, 

" 'Yes, if you will take her too,' putting his arm 
around Little Hunchback." 

" 'What,' she exclaimed, drawing back, 'that 
horrid little monster!' " 

Ben turned on her with the ferocity of a young 
tiger. 

" 'She aint horried and she aint no monster. She 
is my sister and where I go she goes.' " 

"I was proud of the lad. The matron interceded 
and Little Hunchback, tho the tears were stream- 
ing down her cheeks, advised Ben to go. The 
matron parted the children who were sobbing and 
clinging to each other. Ben bade Little Hunch- 
back 'Good-bye' telling her thru his tears that 
when he grew up he would make heaps of money 
then he would come back and get her." 

"I noticed that Mr. and Mrs. John Hadley were 
greatly moved at the tragic scene. They came for- 
ward and tried to comfort the little sister. When 
Little Hunchbfxk turned her sw^eet face towards 
them both fell for her charms. Mrs. Hadley turned 
to her husband and said, 

" 'O, John, let us take her!' " 

" 'Just as you say, mother.' " 

"It was settled. Little Hunchback moved to the 
house on the hill, taking with her, her beloved book 
the Arabian Nights'. Shortly after her coming to 
the hill, I was passing this way. It was in the even- 
ing. I saw her and Sister walking thru the gar- 
dens. She was enjoying the beauties of the gar- 
dens immensely. Yes, I well remember that even- 
ing. Your father', speaking to Sister, 'was a tiny 
tot then. We called him Tommy. He and Pupsy, 
a large dog, were playing on the lawn. John 
Hadley was seated on the steps leading to the 
house, smoking a pipe. Mrs. Hadley came from 
the house and seated herself by his side. It was a 
scene of happy contentment." 

"Little Hunchback's stay at Hadley Hill was very 
brief. Your grandfather had invested his money 
in a concern that payed big interests. He lost both 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



the money and the interest. This place was heavi- 
ly mortgaged. It went under the hammer. The 
next time that I saw the place was after the sale." 

"This was the room," looking about him. "Every 
thing was in confusion, furniture piled up, rugs 
rolled up, boxes about, men carrying out articles 
that they had bought at the sale. John Hadley, 
his wife and Sister, were bowed down with grief. 
Tommy" turning to Thomas Hadley, "I am speak- 
ing of you, as I knew you then, climbing over the 
boxes. He was thoroughly enjoying himself, being 
too young to realize the misfortune that hr-d be- 
fallen the family. Knowing that Pupsy was to be 
sold, I came here thinking to buy him. Owing to 
professional calls I came late, so late that when I 
arrived Pupsy's new owner, a friend of John 
Hadley, was fastening a sti-ap to the dog's collar 
to lead him away. Pupsy objected to leaving his 
old master. Tommy hearing the dog's growls, 
stopped in his play and climbing down from the box 
ran to the man exclaiming, 

"'You let my dog alone! He's my Pupsy!'" 

"The child hung on to the dog, protesting and 
scrapping like a little Indian. Never the less, 
Pupsy was led away. John Hadley took his little 
son in his arms and tried to comfort him. Tommy 
sobbed out his grief on his father's shoulder. 
Little Hunchback, whose heart seemed breaking at 
the sorrow of her friends, tried to comfort them. 
How well I remember her words, 

" 'My dears, my dears, do not grieve so. God will 
be with us in our new home. Heaven is every 
where and He lives there.' " 

"John Hadley traveled all over the city trying to 
find a house to rent within his means. He was com- 
pelled for financial reasons to take apartments in 
Clothespin Alley. As you know it is a wretched 
place and only the very poor live there. There, 
the main occupation is washing. Clothes pins are 
very much in evidence." 

"One day I was making some professional calls 
in the alley. One of my patients, a small boy, lived 
with his widowed mother in rooms adjoining Had- 
ley's. Some children among whom where Little 
Hunchback and Tommy,, v/ere playing in the alley. 
Unobserved by the children I stepped into a small 
recess close to the stairv/ay, leading to the Hadley 
rooms. Suddenly there was a great commotion. 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



A dog came tearing down the alley with a can on 
his tail. A mob of boys followed in hot pursuit. 
Little Hunchback's eyes blazed. I had never seen 
the child in this attitude before. Before I could 
have even thot of stopping her, she rushed to meet 
the dog. She caught him and removed the can. 
Not withstanding, the mob hooted and jeered, 
some going so far as to imitate her hump, she held 
her ground. Tommy ran to her rescue. Taking 
his place by her side he doubled his fists and shook 
them at the mob. The dog all this time seeming 
to understand that in Little Hunchback he had 
found a friend, crouched cowering behind her. 
When the crowd dispersed I climbed the stairs and 
entered the room of the sick boy." 

"A few minutes l?ter I called on the Hadleys. 
When I entered the room Little Hunchback ran to 
meet me and with the freedom of a child she threw 
her arms around me and was exceedingly glad to 
see me. Her face wore the same sunny expression 
of internal happiness nor did she by word or look, 
betray the incident that had Just taken place in 
the alley." 

"I found the Hadley's very much discouraged. To 
make matters worse John had sold his farm when 
he moved to the city and now he had nothing to 
fall back on. He was doing odd jobs. Sister ex- 
pressed her willingness to work so I promised to 
get her a job at the Mission where I had some in- 
fluence. Little Hunchback had slipped from the 
room." 

"When I descended the steps I could hear the 
voices of Tommy and Little Hunchback, The chil- 
dren were in the alley. Tommy was still angry. 
I heard him say,^ — 

" 'They is naughty . They call oo names. I don't 
like ol' Cosepin Alley!' " 

"Little Hunchback sat down in the door way and 
taking Tommy in her lap said, 

" 'Tommy boy, this is not Clothespin Alley.' " 

Tommy replied, 

" "Tis too!' pointing at the washings that were 
strung out." 

" 'Tommy dear, those are flags — wonderful flags. 
This is Japan, Tommy.' " 

"I stood very still not wishing to betray my 
presence to the children. How vivid she pictured 
the scene that was in her imagination! The child 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



was in raptures." Turning to Thomas Hadley, ',Do 
you remember it, old boy?" //^/^ 

Thomas Hadley was leaning forward, his face 
aglow with surpressed feeling. 

"Remember it? Why man, I saw it! I saw the 
band marching down the street — I heard the music 
— I saw the gaily dressed officers, the Micado in his 
richshaw, other people in rickshaws, Japanese men 
and women, little Jap boys and girls running 
about — and the street shops — men and women bar- 
tering for the wares and the big black Buddah — 
and over head the flags waiving! Why man 
Clothespin Alley was never the same to me again! 
I saw it thru her eyes. It was one long, gala-day, 
with flags flying, drums beating and men march- 
ing." Thomas Hadley, after this outbreak, leaned 
back in his chair, his face pensive. The doctor 
continued. 

"When Little Hunchback ceased speaking. 
Tommy threw his arms around her and hugged 
her." 

"That night the sick boy grew worse and I was 
again called. It was late when I left the room. I 
stayed on until the child went to sleep. When I 
walked down the hall I noticed a light in the win- 
dow of Little Hunchback's room. This window 
was off the hall. It was open. I stopped and 
looked in, wondering why she was up so late. She 
was in bed propped up with pillows. She was read- 
ing. I had no doubt that the book was the Arabian 
Nights'. I was sure when she closed it, for she 
sat for a moment in deep study then she said, 

" 'We do need that lamp in Clothespin Alley.' " 

"She had been reading the story of "Aladdin" or 
"The Wonderful Lamp." It is a story that is bound 
to make a deep impression on a person of such 
keen sensibilities as the Little Hunchback." 

"The next day she and some children were play- 
ing around a junk pile, when she observed in the 
rubbish, an old brass lamp. She rescued the lamp 
from the junk that surrounded it and carried it 
home. When Little Hunchback entered the house, 
bearing her trophy, Mrs. Hadley was darning 
stockings. Looking up she spied the lamp in the 
hands of Little Hunchback. The child proud of 
her find showed the lamp telling her foster 
mother where she had found it. Mrs. Hadley 
threw up her hands in dismay exclaiming, 

—10— 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



" 'The garbage pile! Saints preserve us! It 
reeks with germs!' " 

"The good lady insisted that tho lamp be thrown 
away at once. Little Hunchback had no idea of 
parting with her treasure. She assured her foster- 
mother that 'It was a really, truly magic lamp and 
that it would bring heaps of luck?' " 

"She was permitted to keep the lamp but urged 
to lose no time in cleaning it. Little Hunchback 
procured a can of Dutch Cleanser and polished the 
lamp. When it was all clean and shiny she held 
it up and looking at it said, 

" 'If you were really the magic lamp, I would 
wish to see Ben.' " "She placed the lamp on a 
shelf opposite the door leading into the hallway." 

"A very marked change had come over John 
Hadley. He seemed deeply depressed . I knew 
that it was not poverty that had so changed him 
but the turning away of his old friends, who had 
known him in the houir of his prosperity. Often 
when John and Mrs. Hadley would be walking 
down the street their one time friends would turn 
aside to avoid a meeting — sometimes they would 
pass without speaking. This cut the sensitive soul 
to the heart. He met his one time intimate friend, 
the man who had bought Pupsy, walking down the 
street leading the dog. The man tuxned his head 
to avoid speaking but not so Pupsy, tugging at the 
chain he broke away and running to his old master, 
leaped joyfully upon him. But the fellow was not 
such a cad as John thot. He told me afterward that 
when John held the dog's two front feet in his 
hands and looking into the animal's eyes said, 

" 'Faithful heart! You do not desert me in my 
hour of adversity,' "that he was overcome with 
shame and humiliation at his own snobbishness." 

"During those days of trial Little Hunchback did 
all in her power to cheer the drooping hearts. She 
prevailed upon them to attend Divine worship at 
the Mission. I sometimes feared that this was a 
sore trial to Little Hunchback. She was growing 
older and I feared that her sensitive nature would 
feel the neglect of the youmg men who conscious 
of her affliction, worshiped at the shrine of the 
more beautifully formed Sister. But if she felt the 
neglect the brave little heart never betrayed that 
she cared. She must know now that there was 
one who truly loved her in spite of her affliction. 



-11- 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



When ever she was in the same room with myself 
I felt her presence, tho I did not always see her in 
the crowd. Like a magnet she drew me to her." 
Here the doctor paused in his narative and for 
a few moments studied the pictures In the flames. 
Rousing himself, he continued, 

"One day there was a storm — a terrible storm. 
It seemed as if the heavens opened and the floods 
came down. There was great uneasiness in the 
Hadley home. The table was laid and things were 
boiling on the stove. Mrs. Hadley walked uneasily 
about the room occassionally stopping to peer out 
of the window. Little Hunchback and Tommy 
were watching at the window. John was late. 
Presently the door opened and he came in drenched 
to the skin. Little Hunchback and Mrs. Hadley 
flew to his aid. Dry clothing were brot and a 
change made then they all sat down to the evening 
meal." 

"In the morning John was ill — very ill. I was 
sent for. I discovered that he had a bad case of 
pneumonia. His mental depression and physical 
weakness did much to turn the tide against him. 
I told Mrs. Hadley that if he could be moved to a 
hospital at once he could be sr.ved. She was in 
the depths of despair on account of financial con- 
ditions and poor soul I had nothing to loan her. 
My own financial condition was as bad. if not 
worse, than hers. Funny thing is the mind of a 
child. When we were busy working over John, 
Tommy, in his night-dress, entered the room cry- 
ing out, 

" 'Daddy, daddy, I wants Pupsy!' " 

"Struggling and kicking he was carried out of 
the room by Little Hunchback. Things went from 
bad to worse. Mrs. Hadley and Little Hunchback 
who were taking turns sitting up with John, were 
completely worn out." 

"I went to the mission to plead with Sister to 
give up her work and come home, but she crying, 
told me that she could not, that they needed the 
money that she earned, that it took, 'O, so much to 
live.' Poor child, my heart ached for her." 

"Well, we had given uip and it was thot that John 
would die. Mrs. Hadley was in despair. She and 
I were standing by his bed side. I had just told 
her that the chances were slim but if we could get 
him away at once, I still believe he would get 

— 12 — 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



well. The door between the living room and the 
bed-room was ajar. I could see Little Hunchback 
standing in front of the shelf on the wall. She was 
looking at the lamp, the one that she had found in 
the garbage pile. She was saying, 

*' 'O, how I wish that you were the magic 
lamp!' " 

"She took it down, fondled it and went on talk- 
ing to it." 

" 'If you were the magic lamp I would wish for 
money for Doctor Carter says that if daddy could 
go to the right hospital his lungs will grow 
strong. O, how I wish that I were Aladdin and 
you the Wonderful Lamp!' " 

"I saw her shake the lamp, then put It to her ear. 
I turned back to the bedside. A moment after- 
wards Mrs. Hadley left the room and I followed 
her into the living room. Again I said, 

"There is hope if we can get him away in time." 

She turned to me a face of hopeless despair and 
said, 

" 'We have not the money doctor. We are 
poor. O, so very poor.!' " 

"At this moment Little Hunchback, greatly ex- 
cited came forward holding in her hand a large roll 
of bills." 

" 'O, mother!' she exclaimed, 'see what the 
fairies have brot us!' " 

"If the house had tumbled about our ears we 
could not have been more surprised." 

"Little Hunchback oxplr-.ined that when she 
shook the lamp she heard some thing rattle. She 
removed the burner. There was no wick. She 
carried the lamp to the window and peering into 
it saw some paper. The paper proved to be a rolled 
envelope. She carried the Ir.mp to the tcble and 
turning it up side down shook it. A few gold 
coins fell out. She opened the envelope to find that 
it contained bills. I took the bills from her hand 
and counted them. There were Five Hundred 
Dollars in all. Mrs, Hadley's face expressed both 
hope and doubt. She said, 

" 'Doctor, is it right to use this money?' " 

"I was perplexed. I carefully examined the bills. 
I carried the lamp to the window and looked into 
it seeking to find some explanation but the lamp 
had given forth all that it held. I asked Little 
Hunchback if there was nothing else? She showed 



—13— 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



the gold coins. Picking up the envelope that con- 
tained the bills she handed it to me. I took it to 
the window and looked it over. There was nothing. 
I was about to hand it back to Little Hunchback 
when it occurred to me to look on the inside. I 
did. Quickly taking out my knife, I cut the envel- 
ope arouind the three sides and found writing. 
Yes — I remember the lines. I read: — 

Being that my only son had wasted in riotous 
living, my hard earned savings, rather than he 
should squander what remains I put it in this lamp 
and consign it to the scrap pile. If, perchance, it 
should be found, let the finder keep it and I pray 
God that he may use it for a good purpose. 

"It was signed, 'An unhappy, dying mother.' " 

"That note settled it. John Hadley was taken 
to the hospital and we all rejoiced and blessed the 
lamp." 

"However, cares fell he?ivily upon the little fami- 
ly. John Hadley's earnings being taken from them 
they found it impossible to live ana pay the rent 
on Sister's earnings. Mrs. Hadley joined the 
Washing Brigade. Little Hunchback assisted her 
in this task. I saw the family often in those days 
for my visits to the sick child in the room adjoin- 
ing Hadley's were more frequent. I often found 
Little Hunchback in the room entertaining the sick 
boy — sometimes by telling him stories. This re- 
calls an amusing incident. After one of those pro- 
fessional calls I stopped at the door leading to the 
Hadley rooms and exchanged a few words with 
Little Hunchback. The door was open and I could 
see Tommy on the floor, playing with some toys. 
Little Hunchback bade me 'Good-bye' and entered 
the room. I should have gone about my busines.^j 
then but I didn't. I stood there watching Tommy. 
He played a while then scattering his toys he got 
up. I saw that he was going to have one of his 
tantrums. He turned to Little Hunchback saying, 

" 'I wants my Pwpsy.' " 

"She did not appear to he^ir him. She was in 
one of her day dreams. Tommy caught hold of her 
dress and cried louder and in a fretful tone, 

" 'I wants my Pupsy!' " 

"She freed her dress and started laying the 
table. Tommy was persistant. He followed her up 
and in very loud tones kept repeating that he 
wanted his dog. Little Hunchback stopped in her 



-14- 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



work to reason with him, but Tommy was beyond 
all reasoning. He threw himself on the floor, 
kicking and howling. For a moment Little Hunch- 
back looked very serious. I had no doubt that she 
feared he would disturb the sick boy. Her face 
lit up with inspiration. She ran to the shelf and 
taking down the lamp said, 

" 'Tommy boy. See. I hold in my hand the 
Wonderful Magic Lamp.' " 

"The little rascal becoming curious stopped kick- 
ing. He raised his head to watch Little Hunchback 
whose back was towards the door. She went on, 

" 'Some day I will rub it, like this,' rubbing the 
lamp, 'We will wish for Pupsy and instantly — -in- 
stantly Tommy, a big black giant will appear, and 
Presto. Pupsy will be here!' " 

"When Little Hunchback was speaking I stepped 
aside to let a negro, I believe the largest negro I 
have ever seen, enter the room. He was leading 
Pupsy. Tommy turned his head and with a cry of 
joy ran to embrace the dog. Little Hunchback 
turned around, looked in terror at the negro and 
Pupsy, let the lamp fall from her hands and tum- 
bled over. I ran to her assistance. She rose of her 
own accord and looked in terror and wonder at the 
negro. He spoke saying, 

" 'Boss say, bring dog back. He no count no 
moah. Jes howl all night. Keep ebbery body 
wake.' " 

"Little Hunchback picked up the lamp. She 
looked at it and I thot her face registered fear. She 
said. 

" 'You must be the magic lamp. I do really be- 
lieve you brot back Pupsy!'" 

" 'Hey,' shouted the negro, 'Wot you say? Mag- 
ic, nothing! I knows I done night run mah laigs 
off a getting him hiah!' " 

"Little Hunchback by this time had completely 
won over the children of the alley. To the people 
of the alley she was no longer 'Little Hunchback' 
but 'Little Sunshine.' I often found her seated on 
the bottom of an old keg, in the cool of the even- 
ing, telling stories to the children of the alley. 
The stories she told were sometimes from the Ara^ 
bian Nights' more often they were the creation of 
her own fancies. I noticed that her health was 
failing as is often the case with those highly strung 
sensitive people. Many of them die young. Her 

^15 — 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



body seemed to be wasting but the eyes were more 
brilliant and the face had a look more of heaven 
than of earth." 

"Thinking of her and the delight it would give 
her I persuaded the Mission to give a picnic for the 
women and children of the alley." 

"The day was wonderfully beautiful, an Ideal 
day for a picnic. I was not there to see them off for 
the country. We had arranged for auitomobiles, 
ice cream, fruit, cake and all that goes to make 
a happy picnic. I went about my work thinking of 
her, and the pleasure she was getting out of it. It 
was not 'till afternoon did I find time to visit the 
alley — and call on the sick boy. I was sorry that 
no plans had been made so that his mother could 
have gone to the picnic. Strange to say my mind 
that day was not on the people of the alley but with 
the picnicers and Little Hunchback's beautiful face 
always loomed in the foreground of my thots." 

"I climbed the steps with less agility than pre- 
viously, knowing that I should miss her sweet face. 
Very cautiously I entered the room of the sick boy. 
If he were sleeping I did not wish to awaken him. 
I put my medicine case on a chair and looked about 
the room. It was so very still. I wondered where 
his mother was. Surely, I thot, she has not gone 
to the picnic and left him alone. I caultiously ap- 
proached the bed. The child was asleep but to my 
surprise lying by his side, her curls mingling with 
his, was Little Hunchback fast asleep. I stood 
there watching them. Bending down, I am not 
ashamed of it — I am now an old man and I do not 
regret it — I pressed my lips to her forehead." 

"Picking up my medicine case, I stole quietly 
from the room. At the bottom of the steps I 
stopped and looked back. I remember I said, "She 
sacrificed the picnic. God bless her!" 

"Yes. She sacrificed the picnic that the boy's 
mother might have the day in the country." 

"A few days after the picnic Mrs. Hadley and 
Little Hunchback were hanging out the washing. 
Pupsy was asleep under a tree. Tommy, who was 
playing near by, became interested in an organ 
grinder with a monkey. Several children were 
following the grinder and Tommy Joined the pro- 
cession." 

"Little Hunchback always lightened the burdens 
by her fancies. Just then she was playing that she 



— 16- 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



and her foster-mother were merchants and that 
they had returned from Cairo to Bagdad with their 
laden camels. The clothes baskets were the cam- 
els. The clothes were wonderful tapestries that 
they were displaying to the public, and for the time 
being Clothespin Alley was a very busy street in 
Bagdad." 

"The clothes were all hung. Little Hunchback 
was standing with out stretched arm, pointing to 
the hanging clothes which she was pretending to 
admire. She was saying, 

" 'It is truly a wonderful display. The rich will 
come to admire, then to inquire,' — she broke off 
suddenly and looking about her said, 

" 'Mother, where is Tommy?' " 

"A search was made about the premises but 
Tommy was not to be found. Little Hunchback 
procured one of Tommy's stockings. Putting the 
stocking to Pupsy's nose, she urged him to find 
Tommy. The dog was off with his nose to the 
ground. Little Hunchback following. Pupsy led 
her into the business part of the city. On a busy 
corner of Market street was the organ grinder. 
The monkey was dancing and Tommy was passing 
his little cap. A crowd had gathered and people 
were putting money in the cap." 

"Little Hunchback seized hold of Tommy a\\d 
tried to drag him away. But Tommy liked his job 
and had no mind to leave it. The grinder real- 
izing that in Tommy, he had a valuable asset, set 
up a cry of, 

" 'Poleeze! Poleeze!'" 

"Meanwhile Pupsy growing tired of the delay, 
gravely walked up to Tommy, nosed him over and 
picking him up by the slack of his clothing, walked 
off with him." 

"A policeman entered. The organ grinder ac- 
cused Little Hunchback of trying to steal his child. 
Fortunately I came into the scene in time. The 
policeman walked off with the grinder." 

"Pupsy hearing his name called, turned back and 
deposited Tommy at the feet of Little Hutnchback, 
much to the amusement of the crowd." 

"It is remarkable how courageously Mrs. Hadley 
faced adversity. I believe there were times when 
the family suffered from the want of food." 

"When a girl Mrs. Hadley lived on a peach farm. 
It seems that those peaches were constantly in hei 



—17- 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



mind. One morning, after a driy of unusual hard 
work, she was sitting in a rocker in the living 
room, thinking of the old peach farm, living again 
the days of her girlhood. Little Hunchback asked 
her what she was thinking of. She answered, 

" 'Peaches. I am so hungry for peaches and 
cream!' " 

"Little Hunchback was standing at the window, 
turning over in her mind different schemes for ob- 
taining the per.ches and cream. As her eyes wan- 
dered over the alley she was startled and a little 
cry escaped her. A fruit peddler who had just 
taken a basket of fruit from his v/agon, stepped in 
front of a passing auto. The car hit him. He fell. 
The basket and fruit were scattered on the ground. 
Quickly Little Hunchback received an inspiration. 
She slipped out, uhnoticed by Mrs. Hadley, cross- 
ing the street she hurried to the scene of the acci- 
dent." 

"The peddler was injured so badly that it was 
impossible for him to continue his rounds. Little 
Hunchback bargained with him to drive the v/agon 
and to take her pay in peaches and enough money 
to buy a bottle of cream. All morning she drove 
the wagon, Mrs. Hadley thinking she was in the 
room with the sick boy. When the fruit was all 
sold save one small basket of peaches that she 
kept for herself, she drove the wagon to the home 
of the peddler. She was taking the basket of 
peaches from the wagon when she felt a ht,nd on 
her shoulder. Looking up she saw a policeman. 
Not knowing of the accident he thot she was steal- 
ing the fruit. He dragged her into the peddler's 
house." 

"The peddler was seated in a chair, his leg band- 
aged." 

"The policeman preferred charges against Little 
Hunchback who was still holding onto her basket 
of peaches. The peddler rebuking him explained 
the accident f.nd the agreement. The officer left 
the house very much ashamed of himself. Little 
Hunchback gave the grateful peddler the money 
that she had received from the sales of the fruit 
and received in return the basket of peaches and 
enouigh money to buy a bottle of cream." 

"That evening the family enjoyed peaches and 
cream for dinner. Later when I came into the 
room Tommy w..s licking the dishes. He told me 



-18— 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



in confidence that Little Hunchback did not eat her 
peaches and cream but took them m to the little 
sick boy. He also told me thi^t 'Little Hunchback 
rubbed the lamp and a big black nigger come in — 
and Presto! The peaches and queam was on the 
table.' " 

Thomas Hadley smiled sr.ying, 

"I had implicit faith in the lamp and it was the 
only explanation she ever gave as to how the 
peaches and cream came into the house." 

Doctor Carter continued, 

"A few days later I called on Mrs. Hadley and 
asked her permission to take Little Hunchback for 
a day in the country. I wanted to make up to her 
the lost picnic. Mrs. Hadley consented and Little 
Humchback was delighted. I hired a little run-, 
about for the purpose. I shall never forget that 
day. She romped about in the green fields, gath- 
ered flowers to her heart's content. Stooping over 
the water she decorated her curls with them. 
Gathering her skirts full of the blossoms she seat- 
ed herself by my side under some shade trees. 
Growing weary she put the flowers aside and 
stretching herself out on the green grass resting 
her head on her hand, she looked thotfully around. 
I asked her if she missed the picnic that day and 
if she were not lonely in the room with only the 
sick boy for company. She answered, 

" 'O, no. Doctor Carter. I had a perfectly love- 
ly time!' " 

"Rather surprised I asked her how that 'per- 
fectly lovely time' came about. She answered 
naively, 

" 'When the child slept I stole away to my 
castle.' " 

"Your castle?" 

" 'O, yes. I have a wonderful castle.' " 

"And how did you get there?" I asked." 

" 'In my airship,' she answered." 

" 'I got into my airship and I flew away. When 
I came to my castle I alighted. The birds and 
be?.sts gathered round me. They are always glad 
when I am there. There are knights and ladies and 
servants. O, Doctor Carter, I have many servants! 
In my castle I am a queen. I hold court there. I 
sit on the throne and the Knights and ladies do 
homage to me. There all admire me because — I 
am so straight and tall! And O, my garden — 

—19 — 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



Doctor Carter — you, should see my garden! There 
are flowers, beautiful floweys — O, so many lillies — ■ 
and I gather roses there. In the evening my 
ladies and I sit among the flowers and the brown- 
ies steal out from under the bushes and they play 
soft and low on tiny musical instruments — and 
the fairies come out and dance. When the ladies 
have gone and I am left alone with the brownies 
and fairies, and God lights his candles in the heav- 
ens Ben comes, then the brownies and fairies steal 
away. We, my brother and I, walk thru the gar- 
dens then we sail on the lake. O, yes. We have 
a wonderfully beautiful lake and my brother is a 
ship's officer.' " 

"Youi must have been very tired when you re- 
turned to the sick room and was your patient still 
sleeping?" I asked'.' 

" 'Yes. He was sleeping and I was tired — very 
tired — and sleepy. I lay down by his side and 
slept. I didn't T>faken 'till his mother came home 
from the picnic' " 

"That was a v/onderful day — a day I shall never 
forget!' " 

"John Hadley returned from the hospital, well 
and strong." 

"I got a position in an eastern hospital. When 
I returned, which was a number of years later, I 
found the Hadley family still in Clothespin Alley. 
Little Hunchback was ill. I was cr^lled. Her foster 
mother took my orders. John Hadley and Tommy, 
now grown to almost man's estate were in the liv- 
ing room and I knew that they were anxiously 
watching the door to Little Hunchback's room. 
She was grieving to see her brother Ben. She 
begged me to find him. She muirmured, 

" 'Perhaps, Doctor Carter, if you would rub the 
lamp — ' " 

"I promised to do my utmost to find Ben. But 
I knew the task was hopeless. He had never re- 
turned from England where he had gone with his 
foster parents, the Stewarts. They had made their 
home abroad." 

"When I left her bedside I found the living room 
filled with children. They were very quiet and 
orderly. The leader was giving Tommy a bouquet. 
He only said, 

" 'For her,' pointing towards her room." 

"I looked at the shelf. The lamp was still there. 



-20- 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



I crossed the room — took the lamp down and 
ruibbed it. I do not know why I did it. Perhaps it 
was a sense of faithfulness to her who had so often 
played with it. Strtinge — Ben was at that moment 
calling at the orphanage in quest of the little sister 
he had parted from so many years ago. He was 
directed to Hadley Hill. Prom here, he was sent to 
Clothespin Alley. After some delay he found the 
place. He was received by John and Tommy Had- 
ley." 

"The meeting between the brother and sister 
was extremely touching." 

"It seems that the Stewarts had died leaving 
Ben the sole heir of their vast estate. Ben lost no 
time in buying Hadley Hill. He had the deed made 
out to John Hadley. Little Hunchback and the 
Hadleys moved back to the old home." 

"The coming of Ben wrought a change in Little 
Hunchback. She grew stronger. She was soon 
able to enjoy the great out-doors from a wheel 
chair. It was Tommy's delight to push the chair. 
She had told Ben of her dreams of the fairy castle 
in which he had, had a part. He was absent from 
the hill as he said when he bade her 'good-bye' he 
hr,d much to do to make those beautiful dreams 
come true." 

"A few months later she and I were walking on 
the lawn when we heard a whirring sound above 
us. Looking up we beheld an airship. It was circl- 
ing over the hill. To our amazement it landed on 
the hill." 

"It was Ben. He had come to take Little Hunch- 
back to the beautiful home he had provided for her. 
In her happiness and prosperity she did not forget 
the orphanage nor did she forget the children of 
the alleys. Her greatest happiness was when she 
was entertaining those little unfortunates." 

"The last time I saw her she v/as sitting among 
the flowers on her ov/n beautiful lawn. It was ev- 
ening. Prom the expression on her face, I h: d no 
doubt that she was vatching the fairies dancing to 
the music of the brownies. There was a lake near 
on which I noticed many swans and other water 
fowls. A yacht was anchored close by. Ben came 
out. Little Huinchback rose to meet him. They 
went aboard the yacht." 

"I said that v/as the last time I sav/ her — but — 
I saw her again. You will think what I am about 

—21— 



THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK 



to tell was the result of an over wrought imagina- 
tion or perhaps you will think it a dream. I think 
otherwise." 

"One evening I was sitting in my study. 
I w^as thinking of her. I sat there for 
some time, my mind busy with the past. I 
arose, as was my custom, to take a stroll on the 
lawn before retiring. When I stepped on the porch, 
to my surprise, I looked upon a broad stream of 
clear quiet waters. On either side of the stream 
were trees bearing fruit. A barge was floating on 
the water. Standing on the barge was Little 
Hunchback — but Little Hunchback no longer for 
straight and tall she stood. By her side were 
angels. Angels floated above her and one flew on 
before, leading the way towards the Holy City. I 
saw the Gates. They were ajar. An angel stood 
by each gate and over all there shone a great light 
Me thinks I heard low voices singing." 

"I was not surprised when the word came that 
she was dead. Her spirit had taken its flight at 
precisely the time that I had seen the vision." 

The narrafve ended, Doctor Carter arose and 
walked toward the stranger whose eyes were 
streaming tears. Sister intercepted him. Spring- 
ing to her feet, she ran to the stranger and seizing 
his hands exclaimed — 

"You are Ben! I knew it all along! O, how I 
thank you for all you did for my grandparents — 
and how I love Little Hunchback!" 



THE END 



— 22- 




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